“Encomium of Helen” would have been very controversial – Helen would have been one of the most hated women in Greece – Apologia for Helen – did it to show off
use dialectic in teaching – inventing arguments for and against a proposition
function of language in inducing belief
Linguistic devices for manipulation – poetic devices
language can be crafted for specific purposes – powerful speech is not simply the result of the speaker’s inspiration or the audience’s transport
Believed that provisional knowledge is the only knowledge we can attain – no such thing as transcendent knowledge
Rhetoric helps us understand the world through ethos and pathos-based appeals
language can be crafted to suit particular purposes
Isocrates. "Antidosis"
Was a contemporary of Plato who opened the first school of rhetoric in Athens.
Saw himself primarily as an educator
Sophistic - Education can improve the natural talents of all comers – and that it should be useful to the state
wanted to create civic leaders
Did not claim to impart wisdom – counter Sophists and Plato
Morality
rhetoric is used to speak noble, virtuous ideas and implement them in civic society
morality is not taught but is inspired by teachers (emulation)
Importance of amplification and smoothness of style
First to write down and circulate speeches
3 factors of rhetorical training – three elements requisite to being a valuable citizen
natural talent
extensive practice in varied situations
education in basic principles of rhetoric
Rhetoric should be used to advance Greek ideas and institutions
Sophists
Gorgias. Encomium of Helen
Isocrates. "Antidosis"